All is Forgiven

Oh, what joy for those whose rebellion is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight.  Psalm32:1


   Ernest Hemingway, a classic author, tells the story of a Spanish father and son who no longer speak to each other.  The father decides to reconcile with his son who has run away to Madrid.  The remorseful father takes out the following ad in the El Liberal newspaper.  "PACO MEET ME AT HOTEL.  MONTANA NOON TUESDAY ALL IS FORGIVEN PAPA."

   At noon on Tuesday, the father goes to the square where he finds eight hundred young men named Paco waiting for the forgiveness of their fathers.  Paco is a very common name in Spain. (Taken from After Thoughts, First Baptist of Orlando, Pastor Uth).

   Wow!  Eight hundred young men yearning for forgiveness from their fathers?  What could have been said to cause such disruption of relationships?  I am sure that both parties spoke hurtful words to each other.  I can hear the father saying, You never do anything right!  You'll never amount to anything!  You're so stupid!  And I can hear the son responding, You don't understand!  Get off my back!.  I hate you!.  Sticks and stones may break our bones, but words have a tremendous power to hurt.

   Have you ever been hurt by words spoken in haste or an unkindly manner?  Yes, we all have at some point in time.  Countless children and adults are carrying around more hurt than God ever intended.  Isn't it time that we all learn how to forgive one another?

   No matter what we have done, through Jesus, All is Forgiven.  


Thought for the Day: True forgiveness can be found only through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.